Methane: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Alkane structure 2.png|thumb|250px|Chemical structure of methane]] | [[File:Alkane structure 2.png|thumb|250px|Chemical structure of methane]] | ||
'''Methane''' is a chemical compound with the chemical formula CH<sub>4</sub> (one [[carbon]] atom bonded to four [[hydrogen]] atoms). It is a group-14 hydride, the simplest alkane, and the main component of [[natural gas]]. The relative abundance of methane on Earth makes it an economically attractive [[fuel]], although capturing and storing it poses technical challenges due to its gaseous state under normal conditions for temperature and pressure. | '''Methane''' is a [[Chemical compounds|chemical compound]] with the chemical formula CH<sub>4</sub> (one [[carbon]] atom bonded to four [[hydrogen]] atoms). It is a group-14 hydride, the simplest alkane, and the main component of [[natural gas]]. The relative abundance of methane on Earth makes it an economically attractive [[fuel]], although capturing and storing it poses technical challenges due to its gaseous state under normal conditions for temperature and pressure. | ||
Naturally occurring methane is found both below ground and under the seafloor and is formed by both geological and biological processes. The largest reservoir of methane is under the seafloor in the form of methane clathrates. When methane reaches the surface and the atmosphere, it is known as atmospheric methane. It has also been detected on other planets, including Mars, which has implications for astrobiology research. | Naturally occurring methane is found both below ground and under the seafloor and is formed by both geological and biological processes. The largest reservoir of methane is under the seafloor in the form of methane clathrates. When methane reaches the surface and the atmosphere, it is known as atmospheric methane. It has also been detected on other planets, including Mars, which has implications for astrobiology research. | ||
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[[Category:Chemical compounds]] | [[Category:Chemical compounds]] | ||
Latest revision as of 13:25, 8 January 2023
Methane is a chemical compound with the chemical formula CH4 (one carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms). It is a group-14 hydride, the simplest alkane, and the main component of natural gas. The relative abundance of methane on Earth makes it an economically attractive fuel, although capturing and storing it poses technical challenges due to its gaseous state under normal conditions for temperature and pressure.
Naturally occurring methane is found both below ground and under the seafloor and is formed by both geological and biological processes. The largest reservoir of methane is under the seafloor in the form of methane clathrates. When methane reaches the surface and the atmosphere, it is known as atmospheric methane. It has also been detected on other planets, including Mars, which has implications for astrobiology research.
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| This article uses material from the Wikipedia article Methane, which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License (view authors). | 
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